Effect of heat treatment on the microstructures and mechanical properties of Al-5.5Zn-2.5Mg alloy

The Al-5.5 Zn-2.5 Mg (wt%) ternary alloy was prepared using a vacuum melting furnace and a casting furnace. Microstructural and mechanical properties of the alloy were investigated as-cast and under heat-treated conditions. To investigate the effect of heat treatment, numerous designed Al-5.5 Zn-2.5 Mg samples were homogenized under different conditions and then aged under different regimes. The effects of heat treatment on the microstructures were examined by OM, SEM, and TEM, and mechanical properties of the Al-Zn-Mg alloy were studied. A good combination of high microhardness and reasonable tensile strength were obtained by successive and suitable heat treatments. After aging for 24 h at 150°C, the peak microhardnes and tensile strength values were achieved as 157 MPa and 188.8 MPa, respectively. The microscopic fracture surfaces of the aged samples under different homogenization and aging conditions were observed using scanning electron microscopy. Fractographic analysis of the tensile fracture surfaces shows that the type of fracture changed significantly from ductile to more ductile depending on the aging regime.